Applications Accepted For Tornado Relief Funds

Help is available for those impacted by last month’s tornado in Wabash County. Wabash Area Development, Incorporated and the Wabash County Ministerial Association are working together to aid families affected by the May 19th EF-2 tornado that ripped through Keensburg and the south end of Mt. Carmel. Donations from the community have made it possible for WADI to launch a fund to assist with repairs of minor damages, clothing needs, and expenses related to housing. Those residents affected by the tornado can contact WADI at 618-262-4151 or visit the WADI office at 119 West 12th Street in Mt. Carmel.

Wabash County supervisor of assessments Connie Larry has announced that anyone who had property damaged or destroyed by last month’s tornado may be eligible for a reduction in their property assessment. should contact her office at the courthouse. Larry said the property must be rendered uninhabitable and unfit for occupancy of customary use by the natural disaster. She said those affected have 90 days after the destruction to come to her office and complete the necessary paperwork. Failure to do so may result in no reduction of assessment to property.

Monday’s county commissioner meeting was the first since the tornado and WEMA director Gerald Brooks praised his volunteers for the work they did during and after the tornado. He said WEMA volunteers helped with everything from debris removal, traffic control, to even sitting at a shelter set up at Parkview Christian Church where one person needed to stay.

Sheriff Derek Morgan said the power outage caused by the storm knocked out the new phone system at the sheriff’s office. Morgan told county commissioners that the battery backup only lasted about three hours. He said a five hour battery back up is being purchased for $1,200 to provide extra time.  

WSJD File Photo

Tornado Relief Assistance For Wabash County

Wabash Area Development, Inc. and the Wabash County Ministerial Association are working together to aid families that were affected by the May 19th, 2022 tornado in Keensburg and Mt. Carmel. Thanks to the generosity of our community, WADI has launched a fund to assist with repairs of minor damages, clothing needs, and expenses related to housing.

Those residents has been affected by the tornado can contact WADI at 618-262-4151 or visit the WADI office at 119 West 12th Street in Mt. Carmel.

If you would like to support the relief efforts, donations can be made directly to WADI or to the Wabash County Ministerial Association.

Thank you to everyone who has helped our community in its’ time of need. We will continue to work hard to assist everyone who has been affected.

WSJD General Manager Kevin Madden presents $2,600 to WADI’s Debbie Meyer from the WSJD Summer Kickoff Cookout held on May 26th. The money will go to Operation Share, the bulk of which will go to tornado assistance according to the WCMA’s Rev. Tony Hodgson. Another $200 has been pledged bringing the total money raised to just over $2,800.

PHOTO L-R: WSJD’s Rodger Beard, Mike Wilson who smoked 308 of his famous pork chops for the cookout, WSJD GM Kevin Madden, WADI’s Debbie Meyer, WADI’s Nina Wall, and Wabash County Ministerial Association’s Rev. Tony Hodgson.

ISP District 19 Troopers Hand Out 848 Citations In May

Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of May. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 2,014 incidents during the month.

Enforcement activity consisted of 848 citations and 1,736 written warnings, including 379 speeding citations, 132 occupant restraint citations, 40 distracted driving citations, 25 criminal arrests, and 482 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 46 motorists, conducted 247 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 33 traffic crashes. There were two fatal traffic crashes investigated by District 19 during May, resulting in two fatalities.

Moreover, District 19 issued 554 citations and 786 written warnings for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.

Coal Mine Tax Payment Offers Unexpected Windfall To Local Taxing Bodies

Wabash County and other taxing bodies in the county are the recipients of a recent payment from the defunct Friendsville and Vigo Coal Companies. Wabash County treasurer Beverly McBride reported to county commissioners Monday that her office received bankruptcy taxes totaling close to $270,000. McBride said Responsible Energy paid both outstanding years 2019 taxes payable in 2020 and 2020 taxes payable in 2021. The treasurer said they are happy to get the outstanding money off the books and it will be distributed to the taxing bodies it belongs to by the end of this month.

Health Care Hiring Remains Difficult

As of the last board of directors meeting last month, there were 480 employees at Wabash General Hospital. But like other employers, especially those in health care, it is getting harder and harder to find qualified applicants according to WGH President/CEO Karissa Turner… 

 Turner said the script has flipped as to where job applicants are in the driver’s seat…. 

Turner said the hospital has increased scholarship opportunities, especially attempting to attract more nurses to WGH.  

City Closes Purchase Of Little Egypt Arts Center Building

The city of Mt. Carmel has closed the purchased the purchase of the Little Egypt Arts Center at 500 and 502 Market Street. The city purchased the buildings from John Clancy for $15,000 and the transaction was finalized yesterday.

Mayor Joe Judge said Clancy has until June 16th to vacate the property. Judge said an asbestos inspector was due on the scene today as the city will move with the demolition of the 502 Market Street building. Previously, the mayor had said the 500 Market Street will be renovated and turned into retail space.

Discussion Continues Over Possible Solar Farm Ordinance

Wabash County Commissioners continue to consider an ordinance to regulate solar farms in the county. At Monday’s county board meeting, commissioner Rob Dean said with the amount of money associated with a proposed solar farm, it’s important commissioners add language to maximize benefits to the county while covering any unforeseen costs. Assessor Connie Larry tempered expectations on how much money the county will see from a solar farm. She said the solar farm will generate $215,000 for each megawatt of electricity produced. But that amount will include any taxes that might be assessed to the proposed 6,000 acres. Dean stressed he was in favor of the solar farm development, but said his goal is to make sure the country’s interests are protected. State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman will incorporate Dean’s proposals into the draft ordinance which commissioners will continue to take into consideration.

Wissel Offers COVID Update To County Board

Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel told county commissioners Monday that it’s difficult to gauge an accurate number of COVID cases because of the number of home tests residents are conducting. She said May ended with 57 positive COVID cases and that number doesn’t include home testing which the health department is aware of many more positives. Wissel said she doesn’t foresee mitigations being implemented but you should be taking the standard precautions until the case counts reduce. Those safety measures include washing your hands, wearing a mask when you’re in close contact, and avoid crowded large indoor gatherings.

The health department continues to test every day between 11 and 3 and booster vaccine clinics are being held every Thursday.

The May 19th tornado and subsequent power outage caused the health department to lose a large amount of vaccines. She said replacement doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have arrived to replenish the supply. Based on CDC guidance, Wissel said the health department is no longer offering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. She said the recently vaccine for children from 6 months to 5 years old should arrive at the health department soon and be ready for distribution.